Pompeii receives million dollar makeover

The ancient city of Pompeii gets assistance in restoration after years of mismanagement.
Image: flickr.com

The ancient site of Pompeii is set for an over 100-million euro makeover that will improve facilities, help restore the site and increase tourist numbers.

Receiving up to 41.8 million euros from the European Union, the makeover, dubbed, the “Grand Pompeii Project” was designed to ensure the survival of the site after several buildings collapsed, by restoring and reinforcing support for the impacted buildings as well as increasing video surveillance at the site, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

With several of those responsible for mismanaging the historic site of Pompeii being investigated, Italian ministries have announced plans for the 105-million euro (AU$138-million) makeover of the city, with the funds now being closely monitored by higher authorities.

As well as restoring the historic site, the makeover is also set to boost tourism from 2.3 million a year to an estimated 2.6 million by 2017, according to the European Commision.